It's expected the president will praise the service of U.S. troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also make some remarks on health-care reform.

A group of roughly 80-100 peaceful -- but loud -- protesters who appear to mostly support some sort of health-care reform have gathered across the street from the convention center.

According to a statement from the VFW, "Almost 13,000 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary delegates will represent the 2.1 million-member organization at the weeklong convention. Their mission will be to approve new national priorities to guide the organization's advocacy efforts in Congress on behalf of the nation's 23.5 million veterans, 2.2 million service members and their families. Advocacy issues include military and veterans' healthcare, benefits, and Quality of Life programs, as well as military readiness and national and homeland security."